Page 36 of Quinn

Me speaking with a psychologist wasn’t happening, I’d deal with my problems in my own way. Not wanting to cause trouble, I agreed to meet with her at nine the following morning. Once the ultrasound was done, and I had peace of mind about my inner organs, I’d be done with her and the hospital.

Barry turned up as I was thanking her, and after assuring him all was well with my health, he escorted us out the car.

“There’s no need for me to see you again, Arabella, but should any issues arise, the brothers know how to get in touch.”

“Thank you, Dr. Vincent, for everything.”

He stood on the hospital steps watching and I waved at the man as Jake drove away. I settled back in the seat, ready to be back at the compound where I knew I was safe.

Natalie turned in her seat. “That all seemed to go well, Arabella. It must be a relief to know there are no ongoing physical concerns.”

“Hmm…”

“Arabella, are you okay?”

I shook my head. “Just something about her seems…off.”

“How do you mean?”

“I don’t know, just something doesn’t seem right.” I shook my head. “Ignore me, I’m just being paranoid.” As we left the town limits, I asked, “Jake, Quinn speaks of you being captured and tortured recently. I think it’s why he is almost obsessed with keeping me safe. What happened?”

I listened in horror as Jake described what he’d endured at the hands of a maniac in Rabaul months earlier. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I heard about the helplessness he’d felt as he prepared himself for death.

Silence filled the car for a few minutes when he finished speaking.

“I understand now why Quinn is over-protective with not just me, but everyone around him. Thank you for explaining. I’m so sorry you went through so much at the hands of a demented maniac.”

“You of all people understand,” Jake whispered.

It was true. I felt Jake’s pain…it was pain I’d been forced to endure. I related to his feelings of total helplessness. I understood his wanting to die.

Natalie ran a hand over the back of Jake’s head and turned her eyes to me. Tears washed over her cheeks for the man she loved. I couldn’t help but wish I could have love like that with Quinn but I knew it would never be possible.

CHAPTER TEN

QUINN

It was a little after three by the time we got back to Ela Beach. Anatoli was waiting in a parking lot which fronted the sand. We slogged through the deep sand, tossed our gear into the boot, and climbed into the vehicle.

Over lunch we’d questioned Palau about the two men. He admitted he found it strange they were asking about us and who we were but said he’d given them no information, not even our names. He’d told them if they wanted to know anything about us, then it was us they should ask. The irritated hand signals and expressions on their faces as they spoke with Palau now made sense.

“How was the swim?” Anatoli spoke as he guided the car from the parking space, onto Ela Beach Road and towards Bernal Street where our hotel was located.

“Let’s say it was interesting. It appears we have drawn the attention of our prey much sooner than anticipated,” Quinn replied.

Anatoli parked the car in a designated space and we used the side door to enter the hotel. After climbing the stairs to the second floor together, it was my room we came to first. I pushed the key in to unlock the door.

“Meet in the restaurant at seven?” I asked as I pushed the door open.

“I’ll make the reservation,” Anatoli offered.

The room was cool after the heat of outside. In the bathroom I stripped off my sand filled clothes, tossed them into the sink, and padded to the shower where I turned on both taps. Holding one hand beneath the spray, I adjusted the temperature to cool. After a few hours in the sun, I felt the sting of burning and thought about how mum would do a wall of death on my arse if she knew I’d been too lazy to slap on some sunscreen.

Satisfied the water was how I wanted, I stepped into the cubicle and sucked in a deep breath as the cool spray hit my overheated skin.

“Fucking hell!” I shouted as pain exploded over my shoulders and back.

“Quinn!” I turned to find Logan looking at me in concern, weapon in hand. Daly slid to a stop beside him, his weapon also pulled. Both were butt naked.